Hey, Median household income is $139,707, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $736,000, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -Paramus sits at 166.3 per 100K. Homes are going for about $736,000 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? Thanks for reading. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
1 upvotes
9 Replies
Luca
I work in finance here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is tough. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
James Stewart
preach
38 upvotes
Julian G.
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
chicago_nora
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 30, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
22 upvotes
Zoey Hernandez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Fairview) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
22 upvotes
Cora C.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. I love the pace of life here.
15 upvotes
Landon King
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Maya T.
literally same
8 upvotes
Allison Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 36, moved here 9 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.